Electronic system with transformable mode mechanism and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic system includes a control unit configured to determine a physical configuration based on a sensor reading; determine a device location for establishing a device proximity to a target device; generate an operational mode based on the physical configuration and the device proximity; and a communication unit, coupled to the control unit, configured to send an input signal for interacting with the target device through a client device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to anelectronic system, and more particularly to a system with atransformable mode mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Modern portable client and industrial electronics, especially clientdevices such as electronic watches, wristbands, health monitors,smartphones, tablets, and combination devices are providing increasinglevels of functionality to support modern life including facilitatinginteractions with other electronic devices and appliances. Research anddevelopment in the existing technologies can take a myriad of differentdirections.

As users become more empowered with the growth of portable devices, newand old paradigms begin to take advantage of this new device space.There are many technological solutions to take advantage of this newdevice capability to communicate with other devices. However, usersoften must rely on multiple portable devices to meet the growing needsof modern lifestyles.

Thus, a need still remains for an electronic system with a transformablemode mechanism appropriate for today's connected devices. In view of theever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growingclient expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningfulproduct differentiation in the marketplace, it is increasingly criticalthat answers be found to these problems. Additionally, the need toreduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitivepressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity forfinding answers to these problems. Solutions to these problems have beenlong sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested anysolutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded thoseskilled in the art.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic systemincluding: a control unit configured to: determine a physicalconfiguration based on a sensor reading; determine a device location forestablishing a device proximity to a target device; generate anoperational mode based on the physical configuration and the deviceproximity; and a communication unit, coupled to the control unit,configured to send an input signal for interacting with the targetdevice through a client device.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of operation ofan electronic system including: determining, with a control unit, aphysical configuration based on a sensor reading; determining a devicelocation for establishing a device proximity to a target device;generate an operational mode based on the physical configuration and thedevice proximity; and sending, with a communication unit coupled to thecontrol unit, an input signal for interacting with the target devicethrough the client device.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer readable medium including instructions for execution by acontrol unit including: determining a physical configuration based on asensor reading; determining a device location for establishing a deviceproximity to a target device; generate an operational mode based on thephysical configuration and the device proximity; and sending an inputsignal for interacting with the target device through the client device.

Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements inaddition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or elementswill become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an electronic system with a transformable mode mechanism in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of the electronic system.

FIG. 3 depicts exemplary configurations of a client device of theelectronic system.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram of the electronic system in operation.

FIG. 5 is another example diagram of the electronic system in operation.

FIG. 6 is yet another example diagram of the electronic system inoperation.

FIG. 7 is a control flow of the electronic system.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of operation of the electronic systemin a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following embodiments of the present invention provide a clientdevice configured to be arranged in different physical configurationsincluding a resting configuration, a remote configuration, a wearableconfiguration, and handle configuration. The client device can alsodetermine its device location relative to a target device for connectingto the client device.

An embodiment of the present invention can also generate an operationalmode of the client device including a gesture mode, a monitor mode, agame mode, or a combination thereof based on the physical configurationof the client device, the device proximity of the client device to thetarget device. The client device can also communicate an input signal tothe target device for interacting with the target device.

The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments would be evident based on the presentdisclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will beapparent that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In order to avoid obscuring the embodiment of the presentinvention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and processsteps are not disclosed in detail.

The drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic,and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for theclarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawingfigures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for ease ofdescription generally show similar orientations, this depiction in thefigures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can beoperated in any orientation.

The term “module” referred to herein can include software, hardware, ora combination thereof in the embodiment of the present invention inaccordance with the context in which the term is used. For example, thesoftware can be machine code, firmware, embedded code, and applicationsoftware. Also for example, the hardware can be circuitry, processor,computer, integrated circuit, integrated circuit cores, a pressuresensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS),passive devices, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown an electronic system 100 witha transformable mode mechanism in an embodiment of the presentinvention. The electronic system 100 includes a first device 102, suchas a client device, connected to a second device 106, such as a clientdevice or server. The first device 102 can communicate with the seconddevice 106 with a communication path 104, such as a wireless or wirednetwork.

For example, the first device 102 can be any of a variety of wearabledevices, such as a watch, a health monitor, a fitness band, anelectronic bracelet, a head-mounted device, a remote device, anelectronic accessory, or a combination thereof. The first device 102 canbe a standalone device or can be incorporated with a mobile device, anentertainment device, an article of clothing, an accessory, an adhesivedevice, a multi-functional device, or a combination thereof. The firstdevice 102 can couple to the communication path 104 to communicate withthe second device 106.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first device 102 can include a fastening unit103. The fastening unit 103 is configured to secure the first device 102to a user of the electronic system 100. For example, the fastening unit103 can include a strap, a band, a clasp, a latch, a tie, a ring, or acombination thereof. As a more specific example, the fastening unit 103can include a watch strap, a bracelet clasp, an armband, a headband, aring band, or a combination thereof.

The fastening unit 103 can be constructed of a variety of materials. Forexample, the fastening unit 103 can be constructed of a polymericmaterial, an elastomeric material, a metallic material, a fabric, or acombination thereof. As will be discussed in the sections that follow,the fastening unit 103 can embed a plurality of sensors for determininga configuration of the first device 102.

The second device 106 can be a mobile device or a non-mobile device. Forexample, the second device 10 can be any of a variety of mobile devices,such as a smartphone, a tablet device, a cellular phone, a personaldigital assistant, a notebook computer, a netbook computer, a thinclient device, a multi-functional mobile communication or entertainmentdevice, or a combination thereof.

The second device 106 can also be a non-mobile device such as acomputing device, an appliance, an internet of things (IoT) device, or acombination thereof. The second device 106 can be any of a variety ofcentralized or decentralized computing devices. For example, the seconddevice 106 can be a desktop computer, a grid computing resource, aserver, a server farm, a virtualized computing resource, a cloudcomputing resource, a router, a switch, a peer-to-peer distributedcomputing resource, or a combination thereof.

The second device 106 can be centralized in a single computer room,distributed across different rooms, distributed across differentgeographical locations, or embedded within a telecommunications network.For example, the second device 106 can be a particularized machine, suchas a mainframe, a server, a cluster server, a rack mounted server, or ablade server, or as more specific examples, an IBM System z10™ BusinessClass mainframe or a HP ProLiant ML™ server.

The second device 106 can also be an appliance including a living roomappliance, a kitchen appliance, a bathroom appliance, a bedroomappliance, or a combination thereof. For example, the second device 10can include a television, a video device, an audio device, a clock, alighting unit, a home entertainment system, a washing machine, arefrigerator, an oven, a microwave, a gaming console, or a combinationthereof. In addition, the second device 106 can include a thermostat, analarm system, a heating unit, a cooling unit, an electronic door lock, agarage door opener, a power generation system, or a combination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is described withthe first device 102 as a wearable device, although it is understoodthat the second device 106 can also be a wearable device. The seconddevice 106 can have a means for coupling with the communication path 104to communicate with the first device 102.

Also for illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is shown withthe second device 106 and the first device 102 as end points of thecommunication path 104, although it is understood that the electronicsystem 100 can have a different partition between the first device 102,the second device 106, and the communication path 104.

For example, the first device 102, the second device 106, or acombination thereof can also function as part of the communication path104. As a more specific example, the first device 102 can be awatch-type device and the second device 106 can be a server. In thisexample, the first device 102 can connect directly to the second device106 through the communication path 104. As an additional example, thefirst device 102 representing the watch-type device can connect to theserver through another instance of the second device 106 such as asmartphone, a notebook, a desktop computer, or a combination thereof.

The communication path 104 can be a variety of networks or communicationmediums. For example, the communication path 104 can include wirelesscommunication, wired communication, optical communication, ultrasoniccommunication, or a combination thereof. Satellite communication,cellular communication, Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE),wireless High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), ZigBee™, NearField Communication (NFC), Infrared Data Association standard (IrDA),wireless fidelity (WiFi), and worldwide interoperability for microwaveaccess (WiMAX) are examples of wireless communication that can beincluded in the communication path 104. Ethernet, HDMI, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), fiber to the home (FTTH), and plain old telephoneservice (POTS) are examples of wired communication that can be includedin the communication path 104.

Fluid mediums including gases, liquid, or solids can be examples ofcommunication medium for ultrasonic or other high frequency acousticcommunication. An example of a fluid medium is air molecules capable ofbeing displaced by a mechanical wave such as a compression wave.

Further, the communication path 104 can traverse a number of networktopologies and distances. For example, the communication path 104 caninclude a direct connection, personal area network (PAN), local areanetwork (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN)or any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2 therein is shown an exemplary block diagram ofthe electronic system 100. The electronic system 100 can include thefirst device 102, the communication path 104, and the second device 106.The first device 102 can send information in a first device transmission208 over the communication path 104 to the second device 106. The seconddevice 106 can send information in a second device transmission 210 overthe communication path 104 to the first device 102.

For illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is shown with thefirst device 102 as a client device, although it is understood that theelectronic system 100 can have the first device 102 as a different typeof device. For example, the first device 102 can be a relay device.

Also for illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is shown withthe second device 106 as a mobile device, a computing device, anappliance, or a combination thereof, although it is understood that theelectronic system 100 can have the second device 106 as a different typeof device.

For brevity of description in this embodiment of the present invention,the first device 102 will be described as a client device and the seconddevice 106 will be described as a mobile device, a computing device, anappliance, or a combination thereof. Embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to this selection for the type of devices. Theselection is an example of the embodiments of the present invention.

The first device 102 can include a first control unit 212, a firststorage unit 214, a first communication unit 216, a first user interface218, and a location unit 220. The first control unit 212 can include afirst control interface 222. The first control unit 212 can execute afirst software 226 to provide the intelligence of the electronic system100. The first control unit 212 can be implemented in a number ofdifferent manners.

For example, the first control unit 212 can be a processor, an embeddedprocessor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, a hardware finitestate machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combinationthereof. The first control interface 222 can be used for communicationbetween the first control unit 212 and other functional units in thefirst device 102. The first control interface 222 can also be used forcommunication that is external to the first device 102.

The first control interface 222 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first control interface 222 can be implemented in different ways andcan include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the first controlinterface 222. For example, the first control interface 222 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The location unit 220 can generate a location information, a heading,and a speed of the first device 102, as examples. The location unit 220can be implemented in many ways. For example, the location unit 220 canfunction as at least a part of a global positioning system (GPS), aninertial navigation system such as a gyroscope, an accelerometer, amagnetometer, a compass, a spectrum analyzer, a beacon, a cellular-towerlocation system, a pressure location system, or any combination thereof.

The location unit 220 can include a location interface 232. The locationinterface 232 can be used for communication between the location unit220 and other functional units in the first device 102. The locationinterface 232 can also be used for communication that is external to thefirst device 102.

The location interface 232 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The location interface 232 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the location unit 220. The location interface 232 can beimplemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 222.

The first storage unit 214 can store the first software 226. The firststorage unit 214 can also store relevant information, such asadvertisements, biometric information, points of interest (POIs),navigation routing entries, reviews/ratings, feedback, or anycombination thereof.

The first storage unit 214 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the first storage unit 214 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The first storage unit 214 can include a first storage interface 224.The first storage interface 224 can be used for communication betweenthe location unit 220 and other functional units in the first device102. The first storage interface 224 can also be used for communicationthat is external to the first device 102.

The first storage interface 224 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first storage interface 224 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the first storage unit 214. The first storage interface224 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 222.

The first communication unit 216 can enable external communication toand from the first device 102. For example, the first communication unit216 can permit the first device 102 to communicate with the seconddevice 106 of FIG. 1, an attachment, such as a peripheral device or anotebook computer, and the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 216 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the first device 102 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The first communication unit 216 caninclude active and passive components, such as microelectronics or anantenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 216 can include a first communicationinterface 228. The first communication interface 228 can be used forcommunication between the first communication unit 216 and otherfunctional units in the first device 102. The first communicationinterface 228 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The first communication interface 228 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the first communication unit 216. The first communication interface228 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 222.

The first user interface 218 allows a user (not shown) to interface andinteract with the first device 102. The first user interface 218 caninclude an input device and an output device. Examples of the inputdevice of the first user interface 218 can include a keypad, a touchpad,soft-keys, a keyboard, an ultrasonic sensor 221, a contact sensor 223, abiometric unit 225, or any combination thereof to provide data andcommunication inputs.

The ultrasonic sensor 221 is configured to generate a high frequencyacoustic wave and evaluate a reflected acoustic wave received by thesensor. For example, the ultrasonic sensor 221 can generate anultrasound wave such as an acoustic wave with a frequency aboveapproximately 20 kHz and receive an echo as a result of the ultrasoundwave encountering an obstacle in the direction of travel. In thisexample, the obstacle can be an appendage of a person such as a hand, awall, another device, or a combination thereof.

The ultrasonic sensor 221 can be implemented in many ways. For example,the ultrasonic sensor 221 can be implemented as an ultrasonic integratedcircuit, an ultrasonic transceiver, an ultrasonic transducer, anacoustic resonator, a piezoelectric transducer, or a combinationthereof. For illustrative purposes, the ultrasonic sensor 221 is shownas being embedded in the first device 102. However, it is understoodthat the ultrasonic sensor 221 can operate on the periphery or outsideof the first device 102. For example, one or more instances of theultrasonic sensor 221 can be embedded in the fastening unit 103 of thefirst device 102.

The contact sensor 223 is configured to detect a physical interaction orphysical contact with an object or a person. For example, the contactsensor 223 is configured to detect a physical interaction or physicalcontact with an operator of the first device 102, another component ofthe first device 102, a component of another device, or a combinationthereof. As a more specific example, the contact sensor 223 can detect aphysical contact between the first device 102 and the skin of a user ofthe first device 102.

As an additional example, the contact sensor 223 can detect a physicalcontact between one portion of the first device 102 and another portionof the first device 102. In addition, the contact sensor 223 can detecta physical contact between one instance of the fastening unit 103 of thefirst device 102 and another instance of the fastening unit 103 of thefirst device 102.

The contact sensor 223 can be implemented in a variety of ways. Forexample, the contact sensor 223 can be implemented as a capacitivesensor including a plurality of capacitive cells and conductor plates, aresistive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoresistivesensor or a piezocapacitive sensor, an acoustic sensor including asurface acoustic wave sensor, an array of transducers or actuators, apressure sensor, an array of infrared sensors, a MEMS sensor, or acombination thereof. In addition, the contact sensor 223 can beintegrated into the first device 102 as wireline circuitry, wirelesscircuitry, an integrated circuit, a chipset, or a combination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the contact sensor 223 is shown as beingembedded in the first device 102. However, it is understood that thecontact sensor 223 can operate on the periphery or outside of the firstdevice 102. For example, one or more instances of the contact sensor 223can be embedded in the fastening unit 103 of the first device 102. Inthis example, the contact sensor 223 can detect when one instance of thefastening unit 103 physically contacts another instance of the fasteningunit 103.

As an additional example, the contact sensor 223 can also detect whenone instance of the fastening unit 103 physically contacts anothercomponent of the first device 102 such as the first display interface230. As yet another example, when the first device 103 is implemented asa wearable device, one or more instances of the contact sensor 223 candetect when a surface of the first device 102 contacts a skin surface ofthe wearer of the first device 103.

The biometric unit 225 is configured to identify a user of the firstdevice 102 through a biometric marker including a fingerprint, a heartrate, or a combination thereof. For example, the biometric unit 225 canidentify a user of the first device 102 by comparing the fingerprint ofthe user obtained using a component of the biometric unit 225 against astored instance of the fingerprint. In addition, the biometric unit 225can identify a user of the first device 102 by comparing a heart rate ofthe user obtained using a component of the biometric unit 225 against astored instance of the heart rate.

The biometric unit 225 can be implemented in a number of ways. Forexample, the biometric unit 225 can include a fingerprint scanner, aheart rate monitor, or a combination thereof. As a more specificexample, the biometric unit 225 representing the fingerprint scanner canbe implemented as a capacitive fingerprint scanner, an opticalfingerprint scanner including an infrared fingerprint scanner, or acombination thereof. In addition, the biometric unit 225 representingthe heart rate monitor can be implemented as an optical heart ratemonitor, a capacitive heart rate monitor, a conductive heart ratemonitor, or a combination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the biometric unit 225 is shown as separatefrom the contact sensor 223 and the first display interface 230,however, it should be understood that the biometric unit 225 canencompass any number of components of the first user interface 218including image capture units, a portion of the contact sensor 223, aportion of the first display interface 230, capacitive surfaces,resistive surfaces, or a combination thereof.

In addition, while the biometric unit 225 is shown as being embedded inthe first device 102, it should be understood that the biometric unit225 can operate on the periphery or outside of the first device 102. Forexample, one or more instances of the biometric unit 225 can be embeddedin the fastening unit 103 of the first device 102.

The first user interface 218 can include a first display interface 230.The first display interface 230 can include a display, a projector, avideo screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof.

The first control unit 212 can operate the first user interface 218 todisplay information generated by the electronic system 100. The firstcontrol unit 212 can also execute the first software 226 for the otherfunctions of the electronic system 100, including receiving locationinformation from the location unit 220. The first control unit 212 canfurther execute the first software 226 for interaction with thecommunication path 104 via the first communication unit 216.

The second device 106 can be optimized for implementing the variousembodiments in a multiple device embodiment with the first device 102.The second device 106 can provide the additional or higher performanceprocessing power compared to the first device 102. The second device 106can include a second control unit 234, a second communication unit 236,and a second user interface 238.

The second user interface 238 allows the user to interface and interactwith the second device 106. The second user interface 238 can include aninput device and an output device. Examples of the input device of thesecond user interface 238 can include a keypad, a touchpad, soft-keys, akeyboard, a microphone, or any combination thereof to provide data andcommunication inputs. Examples of the output device of the second userinterface 238 can include a second display interface 240. The seconddisplay interface 240 can include a display, a projector, a videoscreen, a speaker, or any combination thereof.

The second control unit 234 can execute a second software 242 to providethe intelligence of the second device 106 of the electronic system 100.The second software 242 can operate in conjunction with the firstsoftware 226. The second control unit 234 can provide additionalperformance compared to the first control unit 212.

The second control unit 234 can operate the second user interface 238 todisplay information. The second control unit 234 can also execute thesecond software 242 for the other functions of the electronic system100, including operating the second communication unit 236 tocommunicate with the first device 102 over the communication path 104.

The second control unit 234 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the second control unit 234 can be a processor, anembedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, ahardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP),or a combination thereof.

The second control unit 234 can include a second controller interface244. The second controller interface 244 can be used for communicationbetween the second control unit 234 and other functional units in thesecond device 106. The second controller interface 244 can also be usedfor communication that is external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 244 can receive information from theother functional units or from external sources, or can transmitinformation to the other functional units or to external destinations.The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources anddestinations external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 244 can be implemented in different waysand can include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the second controllerinterface 244. For example, the second controller interface 244 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

A second storage unit 246 can store the second software 242. The secondstorage unit 246 can also store the relevant information, such asadvertisements, biometric information, points of interest, navigationrouting entries, reviews/ratings, feedback, or any combination thereof.The second storage unit 246 can be sized to provide the additionalstorage capacity to supplement the first storage unit 214.

For illustrative purposes, the second storage unit 246 is shown as asingle element, although it is understood that the second storage unit246 can be a distribution of storage elements. Also for illustrativepurposes, the electronic system 100 is shown with the second storageunit 246 as a single hierarchy storage system, although it is understoodthat the electronic system 100 can have the second storage unit 246 in adifferent configuration. For example, the second storage unit 246 can beformed with different storage technologies forming a memory hierarchalsystem including different levels of caching, main memory, rotatingmedia, or off-line storage.

The second storage unit 246 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the second storage unit 246 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The second storage unit 246 can include a second storage interface 248.The second storage interface 248 can be used for communication betweenthe location unit 220 and other functional units in the second device106. The second storage interface 248 can also be used for communicationthat is external to the second device 106.

The second storage interface 248 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the second device 106.

The second storage interface 248 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the second storage unit 246. The second storageinterface 248 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 244.

The second communication unit 236 can enable external communication toand from the second device 106. For example, the second communicationunit 236 can permit the second device 106 to communicate with the firstdevice 102 over the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 236 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the second device 106 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The second communication unit 236can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics oran antenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 236 can include a second communicationinterface 250. The second communication interface 250 can be used forcommunication between the second communication unit 236 and otherfunctional units in the second device 106. The second communicationinterface 250 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The second communication interface 250 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the second communication unit 236. The second communicationinterface 250 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 244.

The first communication unit 216 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the second device 106 in the first devicetransmission 208. The second device 106 can receive information in thesecond communication unit 236 from the first device transmission 208 ofthe communication path 104.

The second communication unit 236 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the first device 102 in the second devicetransmission 210. The first device 102 can receive information in thefirst communication unit 216 from the second device transmission 210 ofthe communication path 104. The electronic system 100 can be executed bythe first control unit 212, the second control unit 234, or acombination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the second device 106 is shown with thepartition having the second user interface 238, the second storage unit246, the second control unit 234, and the second communication unit 236,although it is understood that the second device 106 can have adifferent partition. For example, the second software 242 can bepartitioned differently such that some or all of its function can be inthe second control unit 234 and the second communication unit 236. Also,the second device 106 can include other functional units not shown inFIG. 3 for clarity.

The functional units in the first device 102 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The first device 102 canwork individually and independently from the second device 106 and thecommunication path 104.

The functional units in the second device 106 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The second device 106 canwork individually and independently from the first device 102 and thecommunication path 104.

For illustrative purposes, the electronic system 100 is described byoperation of the first device 102 and the second device 106. It isunderstood that the first device 102 and the second device 106 canoperate any of the modules and functions of the electronic system 100.For example, the first device 102 is described to operate the locationunit 220, although it is understood that the second device 106 can alsooperate the location unit 220.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown exemplary configurations of aclient device 302 of the electronic system 100. For clarity and brevity,the discussion of an embodiment of the electronic system 100 will bedescribed with the client device 302 representing the first device 102of FIG. 1, the second device 106 of FIG. 1, or a combination thereof.Additionally, the electronic system 100 can also include a target device304 representing the second device 106. The client device 302 cancommunicate with the target device 304, another instance of the clientdevice 302, or a combination thereof through the communication path 104of FIG. 1 or a portion therein.

The client device 302 is an electronic device connecting or requesting aconnection with the target device 304. For example, the client device302 can connect with the target device 304 by sending information orinstructions to the target device 304. As a more specific example, theclient device 302 can send the information or instructions to the targetdevice 304 through the communication path 104.

The client device 302 can be worn by a user 306 of the electronic system100. For example, the client device 302 can be implemented as awatch-type device and the client device 302 can be worn on the wrist ofthe user 306. As an additional example, the client device 302 can beimplemented as an armband or a portion therein and the client device 302can be worn around the arm of the user 306.

The target device 304 can be an electronic device or system forproviding a service to the user 306. The target device 304 can connectwith the client device 302 by sending information or instructions to theclient device 302 through the communication path 104. For example, thetarget device 304 can include a television, a video device, an audiodevice, a clock or other time keeping device, a lighting unit, a homeentertainment system, a washing machine, a refrigerator, an oven, amicrowave, a gaming console, or a combination thereof.

The client device 302 can be arranged in a physical configuration 308.The physical configuration 308 is a shape or arrangement of the clientdevice 302. The physical configuration 308 can include a wearableconfiguration 316, a handle configuration 314, a remote configuration312, a resting configuration 310, or a combination thereof.

The wearable configuration 316 is shape or arrangement of the clientdevice 302 configured to secure the client device 302 to the user 306.For example, the wearable configuration 316 can include a shape orarrangement of the client device 302 configured to be worn by the user306. As a more specific example, the wearable configuration 316 caninclude the fastening unit 103 of the client device 302 in a closed orclasped position.

As will be discussed in more detail in the sections below, theelectronic system 100 can detect that the client device 302 is in thewearable configuration 316 based on a sensor reading 318. The sensorreading 318 is an output or resulting signal associated with a sensor ofthe client device 302. For example the sensor reading 318 can include acontact reading 320. The contact reading 320 is an instance of thesensor reading 318 associated with the contact sensor 223. As a morespecific example, the contact reading 320 can include an output orresulting signal from a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, apiezoelectric sensor, or a combination thereof.

As an additional example, one or more instances of the contact sensor223 can detect the contact reading 320 between the user 306 and aventral surface 332 of the client device 302. The ventral surface 332can include a surface of the client device 302 configured to opposite adorsal surface. For example, the client device 302 can be implemented asa watch-type device and the ventral surface 332 of the client device 302can include the side of the watch-type device making contact with thewrist of the user 306.

The electronic system 100 can detect the sensor reading 318 within adetection period 322. The detection period 322 can be a time periodestablished by the electronic system 100 for gauging a result from asensor of a device in the electronic system 100. The detection period322 can be adjusted based on the sensor used. For example, the detectionperiod 322 can range from less than 1 microsecond to more than 10seconds depending on the sensor used.

The electronic system 100 can also detect the physical configuration 308of the client device 302 based on a device orientation 324, a devicemovement 326, or a combination thereof. The device orientation 324 is aspatial positioning of a device in the electronic system 100. Forexample, the electronic system 100 can detect a change in the deviceorientation 324 corresponding with a change in a pitch, a roll, or a yawof the client device 302. The device movement 326 is a change in adevice location 334. The device location 334 refers to a geographicposition of a device in the electronic system 100. For example, thedevice location 334 can refer to an absolute position such as ageographic coordinate or a relative position with respect to anotherdevice in the electronic system 100.

The electronic system 100 can detect a change in the device orientation324, the device movement 326, or a combination thereof using thelocation unit 220. The electronic system 100 can also detect whether thedevice movement 326 of the client device 302 has exceeded a movementthreshold 328. The movement threshold 328 is an instance of the devicemovement 326 representing a minimum or maximum distance. For example,the movement threshold 328 can be any instance of the device movement326 above 1 meter. As an additional example, the movement threshold 328can be any instance of the device movement 326 above 10 meters.

The electronic system 100 can also detect whether a change in the deviceorientation 324 of the client device 302 has exceeded an orientationthreshold 330. The orientation threshold 330 is a change in the deviceorientation 324 representing a minimum or maximum change. For example,the orientation threshold 330 can be implemented as a degree change. Asa more specific example, the orientation threshold 330 can be change inany of the yaw, the pitch, or the roll of the client device 302 by morethan 5 degrees.

The handle configuration 314 is a shape or arrangement of the clientdevice 302 resembling a wand or baton. The client device 302 can be inthe handle configuration 314 when the user 306 holds the fastening unit103 of the client device 302 in one or both hands of the user 306. Theelectronic system 100 can detect the client device 302 as being in thehandle configuration 314 based on the contact reading 320 from sensorsembedded in the fastening unit 103. As will be discussed in the sectionsthat follow, the electronic system 100 can detect the client device 302as being in the handle configuration 314 based on the device orientation324, the device movement 326, or a combination thereof.

The remote configuration 312 is a shape or arrangement of the clientdevice 302 configured to receive an input from the user 306 while theuser 306 holds the client device 302. For example, the client device 302can be in the remote configuration 312 when the user 306 holds thefastening unit 103 of the client device 302 and applies a tap input orclick input to a display interface of the client device 302 such as thefirst display interface 230. As an additional example, the client device302 can be in the remote configuration 312 when the user 306 holds adevice body of the client device 302, such as a watch housing, andapplies a scroll input to the first display interface 230.

The resting configuration 310 is a shape or arrangement of the clientdevice 302 configured to support a stable or stationary positioning ororientation of the device. For example, the resting configuration 310can include the fastening unit 103 of the client device 302 in an openor unclasped position with the client device 302 situated on a tabletop.In this example, the ventral surface 332 of the client device 302 cancontact a surface of the tabletop with the watch-face of the clientdevice 302 facing upward.

The client device 302 can also generate an operational mode 338 while inan instance of the physical configuration 308. The operational mode 338is a functional setting of the client device 302 for interacting withthe user 306 of the electronic system 100, the target device 304, or acombination thereof. For example, the operational mode 338 can includethe monitor mode 340, the game mode 342, the gesture mode 344, or acombination thereof.

The monitor mode 340 is an instance of the operational mode 338 formonitoring a vital sign or physical attribute of the user 306. Forexample, the monitor mode 340 can include the electronic system 100activating or enabling certain sensors of the client device 302including the biometric unit 225. As an additional example, theelectronic system 100 can also closely track or record the deviceorientation 324, the device movement 326, or a combination thereof ofthe client device 302 while the device operates in the monitor mode 338.

The game mode 342 is an instance of the operational mode 338 forinteracting with a gaming application or gaming program. For example,the user 306 can hold the client device 302 in the handle configuration314 and manipulate the client device 302 as a game controller orjoystick. As an additional example, when the client device 302 is in thegame mode 342, the electronic system 100 can closely track or record thedevice orientation 324, the device movement 326, or a combinationthereof of the client device 302. As will be discussed in the sectionsbelow, the client device 302 can connect with an instance of the targetdevice 304 having a displaying interface, such as the second displayinterface 240, to allow the user 306 to view an action or motionassociated with the gaming application on the display interface of thetarget device 304.

The gesture mode 344 is an instance of the operational mode 338 forreceiving a gesture input from the user 306. For example, the gesturemode 344 can include a touch mode 348, a touchless mode 346, or acombination thereof. The touch mode 348 is an instance of the gesturemode 344 for receiving a touch gesture 336 from the user 306. The touchgesture 336 is a gesture involving the user 306 making physical contactwith the client device 302. For example, the touch gesture 336 caninclude a finger swipe applied to the first display interface 230. Inaddition, the touch gesture 336 can include a tap gesture applied to aportion of the fastening unit 103 of the client device 302.

The touchless mode 346 is an instance of the gesture mode 344 forreceiving a touchless gesture 350 from the user 306. The touchlessgesture 350 is a gesture not involving the user 306 making physicalcontact with the client device 302. For example, the touchless gesture350 can be a hand waving motion detected by the client device 302. Inaddition, the touchless gesture 350 can be a page turning motiondetected by the client device 302.

The client device 302 can detect the touchless gesture 350 with theultrasonic sensor 221, an image capture unit, an infrared sensor, or acombination thereof. For example, the client device 302 can detect thetouchless gesture 350 with the ultrasonic sensor 221 by emitting anacoustic signal 352. The acoustic signal 352 can include an ultrasoundwave with a frequency above approximately 20 kHz, as an example. In thisexample, the client device 302 can detect the touchless gesture 350 bydetecting an echo when the acoustic signal 352 encounters an obstacle inits direction of travel such as a hand or another body part of the user306.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown an example diagram of theelectronic system 100 obtaining a biometric signature 402. The biometricsignature 402 is an identifier associated with a vital sign or aphysical attribute of the user 306. For example, the biometric signature402 can include a fingerprint 406, a heart rate 408, or a combinationthereof of the user 306. The electronic system 100 can use the biometricsignature 402 to confirm an identity 404 of the user 306 for accessingthe target device 304.

The electronic system 100 can also use the identity 404 of the user 306to determine an accessibility 410 of the target device 304 to the user306 of the client device 302. The accessibility 410 of the target device304 refers to whether the client device 302 is capable of connecting orcommunicating with the client device 302. As will be discussed in thesections below, the accessibility 410 of the target device 304 to theclient device 302 can be determined based on the physical configuration308 of the client device 302.

The electronic system 100 can also determine the accessibility 410 ofthe target device 304 based on an access list 412. The access list 412is a grouping of multiple instances of the identity 404 for permissionto connect to or communicate with the target device 304. For example,the access list 412 can be implemented as a whitelist, a blacklist, or acombination thereof. The access list 412 can be stored in the firststorage unit 214, the second storage unit 246, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 4 also depicts a device proximity 414 between the client device 302and the target device 304. The device proximity 414 refers to a distancebetween the client device 302 and the target device 304. The deviceproximity 414 of the client device 302 to the target device 304 can bedetermined using a beacon signal 416. The beacon signal 416 is anelectromagnetic or acoustic transmission for determining a relativegeographic position of a device. For example, the beacon signal 416 canbe emitted by the target device 304 to determine the device proximity414 of the client device 302 to the target device 304. The beacon signal416 can be implemented as a Bluetooth™ signal such as a Bluetooth™ LowEnergy (BLE) signal, a WiFi signal, an acoustic signal, an infraredsignal, or a combination thereof.

The target device 304 can emit the beacon signal 416 in a signal range418. The signal range 418 is a maximum geographic area covered by thebeacon signal 416. For example, the signal range 418 can range from 0.5meters to 100 meters.

The beacon signal 416 can carry information including a deviceidentification 420, a device type 422, or a combination thereof. Thedevice identification 420 can be information concerning the name of adevice, the model number of the device, the specifications of thedevice, or a combination thereof. The device type 422 can be informationconcerning a category or classification of a device or system. Forexample, the device type 422 can include an audio device, a video type,a computing device, a kitchen appliance, a home appliance, an occupancysystem, or a combination thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the client device 302 can gain access to thetarget device 304 by transmitting an unlock signal 424, a wake-up signal426, or a combination thereof. The unlock signal 424 is a transmissionfor changing a state of the target device 304 from a locked state to anunlocked state. For example, the transmission can be an electromagnetictransmission or an acoustic transmission. As a more specific example,the unlock signal 424 can be a wireless signal configured to unlock adisplay interface of the target device 304. As an additional example,the unlock signal 424 can be an acoustic signal for unlocking anelectronic door lock.

The wake-up signal 426 is a transmission for changing a state of thetarget device 304 from an inactive or sleep state to an active or wakestate. For example, the transmission can be an electromagnetictransmission, an optical transmission, an acoustic transmission, or acombination thereof. As a more specific example, the wake-up signal 426can be an infrared signal configured to invoke an event call, anoperating system (OS) call, or an application programming interface(API) call for changing the state of the target device 304 from theinactive or sleep state or the active or wake state. The unlock signal424, the wake-up signal 426, or a combination thereof can be transmittedthrough the communication path 104 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown an example diagram of theclient device 302 of the electronic system 100 in the handleconfiguration 314 of FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 5, a watch-typedevice representing the client device 302 can be connected to atelevision representing the target device 304 through a targetconnection 502. The target connection 502 is a communication linkestablished between the client device 302 and the target device 304. Forexample, the target connection 502 can include a backhaul communicationlink, a secured communication link, an unsecured communication link, anin-band radio frequency link, an out-of-band radio frequency link, or acombination thereof.

Once the target connection 502 is established, the client device 302 cansend an input signal 504 to the target device 304 for instructing thetarget device 304 or manipulating a graphical user interface displayedon the target device 304. For example, as seen in FIG. 5, the clientdevice 302 can be in the game mode 342 of FIG. 3 while the user 306holds the client device 302 in the handle configuration 314. The clientdevice 302 can send an instance of the input signal 504 to the targetdevice 304 when the user 306 undertakes a swinging gesture while holdingthe client device 302 in the handle configuration 314. The input signal504 can be represented on the display interface of the target device 304as a sword swing in a virtual gaming environment.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the target device 304 can also display apersonalized content 506. The personalized content 506 can include text,numbers, graphics, or a combination thereof generated specifically for aparticular instance of the user 306. The personalized content 506 can begenerated based on a usage context 508. The usage context 508 refers toa set of circumstances or conditions surrounding an operation oractivity undertaken by the user 306 related to the client device 302.The usage context 508 can include a usage order 510, a usage time 512, ausage frequency 514, or a combination thereof.

The usage order 510 is an instance of the usage context 508 representinga sequence of devices connected to the client device 302. For example,the usage order 510 can show that the client device 302 was connected toa washing machine prior to connecting to a gaming console. The usagetime 512 refers to a time during which the client device 302 wasconnected to another device in the electronic system 100. For example,the usage time 512 can indicate that the client device 302 was connectedto the washing machine for 10 minutes beginning at 3:04 pm. The usagefrequency 514 refers to how often the client device 302 is connected toother devices in the electronic system 100. For example, the usagefrequency 514 can reveal that the client device 302 connects to thewashing machine every Saturday afternoon.

The usage context 508 can also include a session information 516concerning an interaction between the client device 302 and the targetdevice 304. The session information 516 refers to data or metadataconcerning the interaction by or between any of the client device 302,the target device 304, or a combination thereof while the targetconnection 502 is active. For example, the session information 516 caninclude metadata on when a video content generated by the target device304 was paused or stopped by the client device 302 before the clientdevice 302 terminated the target connection 502 with the target device304.

As a more specific example, the user 306 can receive an instance of thepersonalized content 506 as a pop-up window informing the user 306 of awashing machine representing a previous instance of the target device304 having finished a task. The electronic system 100 can generate thepersonalized content 506 based on the usage context 508 of the clientdevice 302. In this example, the usage context 508 can include the usageorder 510 indicating the client device 302 having been previouslyconnected to the washing machine and the session information 516concerning when a washing task was initiated and how much time beforethe washing task completes.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the client device 302 can receive a targetresponse 520 from the target device 304. The target response 520 refersto a signal received from the target device 304 in response to an actionundertaken with the client device 302. For example, the target response520 can include a signal received from the target device 304acknowledging the reception of the input signal 504. As an additionalexample, the target response 520 can be implemented as a data packettransmitted as part of a communication transmission. Alternatively, thetarget response 520 can be implemented as an ultrasonic signal such asan acoustic wave having a frequency above approximately 18 kHz.

The client device 302 can generate a haptic feedback 518 upon receivingthe target response 520. The haptic feedback 518 refers to a mechanicalstimulation generated by or at the client device 302 for informing theuser 306 of a response of the client device 302, the target response520, or a combination thereof. For example, the client device 302 cangenerate the haptic feedback 518 to alert the user 306 to an instance ofthe personalized content 506. As an additional example, the clientdevice 302 can generate the haptic feedback 518 to inform the user 306of an action undertaken by the target device 304 in response to an inputreceived at the client device 302.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown an example diagram of theclient device 302 of the electronic system 100 in the wearableconfiguration 316 of FIG. 3. The client device 302 can monitor abiometric indicator 602 of the user 306 including the heart rate 408 ofFIG. 4, a body temperature 606, or a combination thereof of the user306. The biometric indicator 602 refers to a vital sign or physicalattribute of the user 306.

As will be discussed in the sections below, the client device 302 canmonitor the biometric indicator 602 of the user 306 when the clientdevice 302 is operating in the monitor mode 340 in either the handleconfiguration 314, the wearable configuration 316, or a combinationthereof. The client device 302 can monitor the heart rate 408 of theuser 306 through a heart rate reading 604. The heart rate reading 604refers to a set of data or a graph concerning the heart rate 408 of theuser 306. The electronic system 100 can generate the heart rate reading604 by monitoring the heart rate 408 of the user 306 over time. Theheart rate reading 604 can include an electrocardiograph reading or anelectrocardiogram. The client device 302 can obtain the heart ratereading through the biometric unit 225 of FIG. 2.

The client device 302 can also monitor a body temperature 606 of theuser 306. The client device 302 can monitor the body temperature 606 ofthe user 306 through a temperature reading 608. The temperature reading608 is a set of data or a graph concerning the body temperature 606 ofthe user 306. The electronic system 100 can generate the temperaturereading 608 by monitoring the body temperature 606 of the user 306 overtime.

The electronic system 100 can also generate a target setting 610 basedon the biometric indicator 602 of the user 306. The target setting 610refers to a setting of one or more instances of the target device 304.For example, the target device 304 can be a thermostat and the targetsetting 610 can be a temperature setting of the thermostat. As can beseen in FIG. 6, the client device 302 can detect elevated instances ofboth the heart rate 408 and the body temperature 606 of the user 306.The client device 302 can then communicate with a cooling unit, such asan air conditioner, representing the target device 304 to lower atemperature of the cooling unit representing the target setting 610accommodate the elevated instances of the heart rate 408 and the bodytemperature 606 of the user 306.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is shown a control flow 700 of theelectronic system 100 of FIG. 1. The electronic system 100 can include aconfiguration module 702, a biometric module 704, a location module 706,an access module 708, an operational module 710, a context module 712, atarget module 714, a personalization module 716, or a combinationthereof. The configuration module 702 is configured to determine thephysical configuration 308 of FIG. 3 of the client device 302. Forexample, the configuration module 702 can determine the physicalconfiguration 308 of the client device 302 as the resting configuration310 of FIG. 3, the remote configuration 312 of FIG. 3, the wearableconfiguration 316 of FIG. 3, or the handle configuration 314 of FIG. 3.

The configuration module 702 determines the physical configuration 308of the client device 302 in a number of ways. The configuration module702 can determine the physical configuration 308 of the client device302 based on one or more instances of the sensor reading 318 of FIG. 3within the detection period 322 of FIG. 3. More specifically, theconfiguration module 702 can determine the physical configuration 308 ofthe client device 302 based on the contact reading 320 of FIG. 3 fromone or more instances of the contact sensor 223 of FIG. 2, the deviceorientation 324 of FIG. 3 from the gyroscope of the location unit 220 ofFIG. 2, the device movement 326 of FIG. 3 from the accelerometer of thelocation unit 220, or a combination thereof.

For example, the configuration module 702 can make an initial assessmentof whether any instances of the contact sensor 223 has detected contactwith the user 306. In this example, the configuration module 702 canmake the assessment based on a capacitance reading or resistive readingrepresenting physical contact with human skin. If the contact reading320 does not indicate physical contact with the user 306, theconfiguration module 702 can exclude the handle configuration 314, theremote configuration 312, and the wearable configuration 316 fromconsideration as possibilities for the physical configuration 308. Inthis example, the configuration module 702 can initially determine thephysical configuration 308 as the resting configuration 310.

The configuration module 702 can determine the physical configuration308 of the client device 302 by taking into account the device movement326, the device orientation 324, or a combination thereof within thedetection period 322. For example, the configuration module 702 candetermine the physical configuration 308 as the resting configuration310 when the sensor reading 318 from the accelerometer and the gyroscopeindicate no occurrence of the device movement 326 and no change in thedevice orientation 324, respectively, within the detection period 322.

In the example where the sensor reading 318 shows no change in thedevice movement 326 or the device orientation 324, the configurationmodule 702 can determine the physical configuration 308 of the clientdevice 302 as the resting configuration 310 even if an instance of thecontact sensor 223 detects physical contact with the user 306 on aportion of the target device 304 other than the first display interface230. As a more specific example, the configuration module 702 candetermine the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 as theresting configuration 310 when the client device 302 is resting on atable top and the user 306 is not touching the client device 302. As anadditional example, the configuration module 702 can also determine thephysical configuration 308 of the client device 302 as the restingconfiguration 310 when the client device 302 is steadily holding theclient device 302 but not touching the touchpad or touchscreen of theclient device 302.

The configuration module 702 can determine the physical configuration308 of the client device 302 as the remote configuration 312 based onthe device movement 326 and the sensor reading 318. For example, theconfiguration module 702 can initially determine the physicalconfiguration 308 of the client device 302 as the remote configuration312 when the sensor reading 318 indicates physical contact by the user306 with a display interface of the client device 302 within thedetection period 322. As a more specific example, the sensor reading 318can indicate the user 306 applying a touch gesture to a touchpad or atouchscreen of the client device 302.

However, the configuration module 702 can exclude the remoteconfiguration 312 as a possibility for the physical configuration 308 ifthe physical contact with the display interface is also accompanied byan occurrence of the device movement 326 exceeding an instance of themovement threshold 328 at the time the physical contact is made. Forexample, the configuration module 702 can exclude the remoteconfiguration 312 as a possibility for the physical configuration 308 ifa touch gesture applied by the user 306 to the touchpad of the clientdevice 302 occurs while the client device 302 is being noticeably movedfrom its original position before the touch gesture was applied. As amore specific example, the movement threshold 328 can be an instance ofthe device movement 326 representing a distance greater than the longestdimension of the client device 302.

Alternatively, the configuration module 702 can determine the physicalconfiguration 308 as the remote configuration 312 if the physicalcontact with the display interface is not accompanied by an occurrenceof the device movement 326 exceeding an instance of the movementthreshold 328. As a more specific example, the configuration module 702can determine the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 asthe remote configuration 312 when the user 306 holds the client device302 steady while applying a touch gesture to a touchpad or a touchscreenof the client device 302.

As an additional example, the client device 302 can be implemented as awatch-type device. In this example, the configuration module 702 candetermine the physical configuration 308 of the watch-type device as theremote configuration 312 when the user 306 holds the straps of thewatch-type device while applying a touch gesture to a display interfaceof the watch-type device.

The configuration module 702 can determine the physical configuration308 of the client device 302 as the handle configuration 314 based onthe sensor reading 318, the device orientation 324, the device movement326, or a combination thereof. For example, the configuration module 702can determine the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 asthe handle configuration 314 when the contact reading 320 indicatesphysical contact by the user 306 resulting in contact between specificcomponents of the client device 302.

As a more specific example, the configuration module 702 can determinethe physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 as the handleconfiguration 314 when a hand of the user 306 brings together oneportion of the fastening unit 103 with another portion of the fasteningunit 103. In this example, the client device 302 can be implemented as awatch-type device and the configuration module 702 can determine thephysical configuration 308 of the watch-type device as the handleconfiguration 314 when the hand of the user 306 squeezes together thestraps of the watch-type device.

Moreover, the configuration module 702 can also take into account thedevice movement 326, a change in the device orientation 324, or acombination thereof. For example, the configuration module 702 candetermine the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 as thehandle configuration 314 when physical contact with the user 306 isdetected along with the device movement 326 exceeding an instance of themovement threshold 328. More specifically, the movement threshold 328can be a minimum of 10 centimeters and the configuration module 702 canalso take into account any change in the device orientation 324 whilethe client device 302 engages in the device movement 326.

In addition, the configuration module 702 can determine the physicalconfiguration 308 as the handle configuration 314 when the sensorreading 318 indicates physical contact with the user 306 accompanied byan occurrence of the device movement 326 and a change in the deviceorientation 324 within the detection period 322. As a more specificexample, the configuration module 702 can determine the physicalconfiguration 308 of the client device 302 as the handle configuration314 when the user 306 holds the fastening unit 103 of the client device302 as a sword or baton while mimicking a swinging motion.

The configuration module 702 can determine the physical configuration308 of the client device 302 as the wearable configuration 316 based onthe sensor reading 318, the device movement 326, the device orientation324, or a combination thereof. For example, the configuration module 702can determine physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 as thewearable configuration 316 when the contact reading 320 indicatesphysical contact with the user 306 and physical contact betweencomponents of a latching or securing mechanism of the client device 302.

As a more specific example, the client device 302 can be a watch-typedevice and the latching or securing mechanism can be magnetic portionsof the fastening unit 103 configured to secure two ends of the fasteningunit 103 together. As an additional example, the latching or securingmechanism can be a connector mechanism including a male component and afemale component. In this latter example, one or more instances of thecontact sensor 223 can be embedded in the connector mechanism and theconfiguration module 702 can identify the closing of the connectormechanism from the contact reading 320.

Additionally, the configuration module 702 can determine the physicalconfiguration 308 as the wearable configuration 316 when the contactreading 320 indicates physical contact between the skin of the user 306and portions of the ventral surface 332 of FIG. 3 of the client device302 having the contact sensor 223. For example, the client device 302can be implemented as a watch-type device and the ventral surface 332 ofthe watch-type device can include the underside of the watch face aswell as the underside of the watch straps. In this example, theconfiguration module 702 can determine the physical configuration 308 ofthe watch-type device as the wearable configuration 316 when one or moreinstances of the contact sensor 223 embedded in the watch straps detectsphysical contact between the wrist of the user 306 and the watch-typedevice.

Moreover, the configuration module 702 can take into account the devicemovement 326 and changes in the device orientation 324. For example, theconfiguration module 702 can determine the physical configuration 308 asthe wearable configuration 316 when physical contact between the ventralsurface 332 of the client device 302 and the user 306 is accompanied bythe device movement 326 exceeding an instance of the movement threshold328 or a change in the device orientation 324 within the detectionperiod 322. As a more specific example, the configuration module 702 candetermine the physical configuration 308 as the wearable configuration316 when the user 306 wears the client device 302 by securing the clientdevice 302 on to a body part of the user 306.

The configuration module 702 can be part of the first software 226 ofFIG. 2, the second software 242 of FIG. 2, or a combination thereof. Thefirst control unit 212 of FIG. 2 can execute the first software 226, thesecond control unit 234 of FIG. 2 can execute the second software 242,or a combination thereof to determine the physical configuration 308.

Moreover, the configuration module 702 can also communicate the physicalconfiguration 308 between devices through the first communication unit216 of FIG. 2, the second communication unit 236 of FIG. 2, or acombination thereof. After determining the physical configuration 308,the control flow can pass from the configuration module 702 to thebiometric module 704.

The biometric module 704 is configured to determine the biometricsignature 402 of FIG. 4. The biometric module 704 can determine thebiometric signature 402 for recognizing the identity 404 of FIG. 4 ofthe user 306. The biometric module 704 can determine the biometricsignature 402 in a variety of ways.

For example, the biometric module 704 can determine the biometricsignature 402 representing the fingerprint 406 of FIG. 4 of the user forrecognizing the identity 404 of the user 306. The biometric module 704can determine the biometric signature 402 representing the fingerprint406 based on the physical configuration 308. As a specific example, thebiometric module 704 can automatically determine the fingerprint 406 ofthe user 306 when the physical configuration 308 of the client device302 is in the handle configuration 314. As a more specific example, theclient device 302 can have one or more instances of the biometric unit225 including the contact sensor 223 embedded in the fastening unit 103of the client device 302. In this example, the biometric module 704 candetermine the fingerprint 406 of the user 306 based on the contactreading 320 by simply having the user 306 hold the client device 302 bythe fastening unit 103 in the handle configuration 314.

As an additional example, the biometric module 704 can also determinethe fingerprint 406 of the user 306 when the physical configuration 308of the client device 302 is in the remote configuration 312, thewearable configuration 316, or a combination thereof. Similar to theexample above, the biometric module 704 can determine the fingerprint406 of the user 306 based on the contact reading 320 when the user 306makes physical contact with the fastening unit 103 while the clientdevice 302 is in either the remote configuration 312 or the wearableconfiguration 316. In addition, the biometric module 704 canautomatically determine the fingerprint 406 of the user 306 when theuser 306 makes physical contact with a portion of the first displayinterface 230 while the client device 302 is in either the remoteconfiguration 312 or the wearable configuration 316.

As a more specific example, the client device 302 can have one or moreinstances of the biometric unit 225 including an optical fingerprintscanner, a capacitive fingerprint scanner, or a combination thereofembedded in the first display interface 230. In this example, thebiometric module 704 can determine the fingerprint 406 of the user 306when the user 306 applies the touch gesture 336 of FIG. 3 to the firstdisplay interface 230. The biometric module 704 can determine thefingerprint 406 by comparing one or more extracted features of thefingerprint 406 including an arch, a loop, or a whorl against featuresof a stored instance of the fingerprint 406 of the user 306.

The biometric unit 225 can use a variety of mechanisms to compare thefeatures of the fingerprint 406 with a stored instance of thefingerprint 406 including a pattern-recognition, an image matching, aminutiae comparison, a phase-based matching such as a Fourier phasematching, or a combination thereof. The biometric unit 225 can recognizethe identity 404 of the user 306 when a comparison of the fingerprint406 captured by the client device 302 matches the stored instance of thefingerprint 406 of the user 306.

The biometric module 704 can also determine the biometric signature 402representing the heart rate 408 of FIG. 4 of the user 306 forrecognizing the identity 404 of the user 306. For example, the biometricmodule 704 can automatically determine the heart rate 408 of the userwhen the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 is in thewearable configuration 316. As a more specific example, the clientdevice 302 can have one or more instances of the biometric unit 225including the optical heart rate monitor, the capacitive heart ratemonitor, the conductive heart rate monitor, or a combination thereofembedded in the fastening unit 103 of the client device 302. In thisexample, the biometric module 704 can determine the heart rate 408 ofthe user 306 based on the contact reading 320, an image of a portion ofthe skin closest to the biometric unit 225, or a combination thereof.Also in this example, the biometric module 704 can determine the heartrate 408 of the user 306 by simply having the user 306 wear the clientdevice 302.

As an additional example, the biometric module 704 can alsoautomatically determine the heart rate 408 of the user 306 when thephysical configuration 308 is in the handle configuration 314. In thisexample, the biometric module 704 can determine the heart rate 408 ofthe user 306 based on the contact reading 320 when the user 306 holdsone or more instances of the fastening unit 103 in the hand of the user306.

The biometric module 704 can also determine the heart rate 408 when thephysical configuration 308 of the client device 302 is in the remoteconfiguration 312, the resting configuration 310, or a combinationthereof. For example, the biometric module 704 can determine the heartrate 408 of the user 306 when the user 306 physically contacts a portionof the client device 302 including the fastening unit 103, the firstdisplay interface 230, or a combination thereof while the client device302 is in either the resting configuration 310 or the remoteconfiguration 312. In addition, the biometric module 704 can alsodetermine the heart rate 408 of the user 306 when the user 306 places aportion of the skin of the user 306 close to an image capture unit ofthe biometric unit 225.

The biometric module 704 can determine the heart rate 408 of the user306 as within an acceptable range for recognizing the identity 404 ofthe user 306. The biometric module 704 can also determine the heart rate408 of the user 306 based on an activity level of the user 306. Forexample, the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 can bein the wearable configuration 316 and the biometric module 704 candetermine the heart rate 408 of the user 306 as between 150 to 160 beatsper minute (bpm). The biometric module 704 can determine the heart rate408 by comparing the heart rate reading 604 of the user 306 against astored instance of the heart rate reading 604 after accounting for theactivity level of the user 306. For example, the biometric module 704can compare the heart rate reading 604 of the user 306 after a 30 minutejog with a stored instance of the heart rate reading 604 generated aftera similar level of activity.

The biometric module 704 can use a variety of algorithms to compare theheart rate reading 604 including an electrocardiograph reading or anelectrocardiogram (EKG) of the user. For example, the biometric module704 can use a signal processing algorithm, a signal comparisonalgorithm, a signal matching algorithm, a differentiation algorithm, ora combination thereof to determine the heart rate 408 of the user 306.The biometric unit 225 can recognize the identity 404 of the user 306when a comparison of the heart rate reading 604 matches a storedinstance of the heart rate reading 604.

The biometric module 704 is also configured to track the biometricindicator 602 of FIG. 4. As discussed previously, the biometricindicator 602 can include the heart rate 408 of the user 306, the bodytemperature 606 of FIG. 6 of the user 306, or a combination thereof.

The biometric module 704 can track the heart rate 408 of the user 306 ona continuous basis or a periodic basis. For example, the biometricmodule 704 can track the heart rate 408 of the user 306 on a periodicbasis when the user 306 has the client device 302 in the handleconfiguration 314. As an additional example, the biometric module 704can track the heart rate 408 of the user 306 on a continuous basis whenthe user 306 has the client device 302 in the wearable configuration316.

The biometric module 704 can also track the biometric indicator 602representing the body temperature 606 of the user 306. For example, thebiometric module 704 can automatically track the temperature reading 608of FIG. 6 for gauging the body temperature 606 of the user 306 while theclient device 302 is in the wearable configuration 316, the handleconfiguration 314, or a combination thereof. For example, the clientdevice 302 can be a watch-type device and the biometric unit 225 canobtain the temperature reading 608 through a physical contact made bythe wrist of the user 306 and the ventral surface 332 of the clientdevice 302.

The biometric module 704 can also track the temperature reading 608 ofthe user 306 when the client device 302 is in the resting configuration310, the remote configuration 312, the handle configuration 314, or acombination thereof. For example, the biometric module 704 can track thetemperature reading 608 of the user 306 when the user 306 applies aninstance of the touch gesture 336 to a portion of the client device 302including a dorsal or upper surface of the fastening unit 103, the firstdisplay interface 230, or a combination thereof.

The biometric module 704 can track the temperature reading 608 of theuser 306 using the contact sensor 223. As will be discussed in thesections that follow, the electronic system 100 can generate thepersonalized content 506 of FIG. 5 based on the biometric indicator 602.

The biometric module 704 can be part of the first software 226, thesecond software 242, or a combination thereof. The first control unit212 can execute the first software 226, the second control unit 234 canexecute the second software 242, or a combination thereof to determinethe biometric signature 402 and track the biometric indicator 602.

Moreover, the biometric module 704 can also communicate the biometricsignature 402 and the biometric indicator 602 between devices throughthe first communication unit 216, the second communication unit 236, ora combination thereof. After determining the biometric signature 402 andtracking the biometric indicator 602, the control flow can pass from thebiometric module 704 to the location module 706.

The location module 706 is configured to determine the device location334 of FIG. 3 of the client device 302. The location module 706 candetermine the device location 334 of the client device 302 forestablishing the device proximity 414 of FIG. 4 of the client device 302to the target device 304. The location module 706 can determine thedevice location 334 of the client device 302 in a number of ways.

The location module 706 can determine the device location 334 of theclient device 302 based on locational signals transmitted by thelocation unit 220 of FIG. 2. For example, the location module 706 candetermine a geographic coordinate of the client device 302 by using theGPS component of the location unit 220. In addition, the location module706 can determine the geographic coordinate of the client device 302using cellular tower triangulation. Moreover, the location module 706can also determine the geographic coordinate of one or more instances ofthe target device 304 when the target device 304 includes a locationunit having a GPS component, an antenna, or a combination thereof.

Furthermore, the location module 706 can use both the location unit 220and the first communication unit 216 to determine the device location334 of the client device 302 when cellular or GPS signals areinaccessible or low such as within a home, a residence, an office, anindoor structure, an underground structure, or a combination thereof. Inthis example, the location module 706 can detect the beacon signal 416of FIG. 4 generated by the target device 304. As indicated previously,the beacon signal 416 can include a Bluetooth™ signal such as aBluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE) signal, a WiFi signal, an acoustic signal,an infrared signal, or a combination thereof.

The beacon signal 416 can also include information concerning the deviceidentification 420 of FIG. 4, the device type 422 of FIG. 4, the signalrange 418 of FIG. 4 or a combination thereof. For example, the targetdevice 304 can emit different instances of the beacon signal 416 eachhaving a different instance of the signal range 418. As a more specificexample, the signal range 418 of the beacon signal 416 can extend from0.5 meters to 100 meters. The location module 706 can determine thedevice proximity 414 of the client device 302 to the target device 304based on which instance of the signal range 418 the client device 302detects.

The location module 706 can also use the beacon signal 416 from multipleinstances of the target device 304 to triangulate the device location334 of the client device 302 and track the device movement 326 withinthe home, the residence, the office, the indoor structure, theunderground structure, or a combination thereof. In addition, theelectronic system 100 can also use the beacon signal 416 from multipleinstances of the target device 304 to determine the device location 334of the target device 304 relative to another instance of the targetdevice 304. Furthermore, the location module 706 can determine thedevice location 334 of the target device 304 based on an input from theuser 306, a map, a floor plan, a blueprint, or a combination thereof.

The location module 706 can be part of the first software 226, thesecond software 242, or a combination thereof. The first control unit212 can execute the first software 226, the second control unit 234 canexecute the second software 242, or a combination thereof to determinethe device location 334 of the client device 302 and the deviceproximity 414 of the client device 302 to the target device 304.

Moreover, the location module 706 can also communicate the devicelocation 334 of the client device 302 between devices through the firstcommunication unit 216, the second communication unit 236, or acombination thereof. After determining the device location 334 of theclient device 302, the control flow can pass from the location module706 to the access module 708.

The access module 708 is configured to determine the accessibility 410of FIG. 4 of the target device 304 to the client device 302 and to grantthe client device 302 access to the target device 304. The access module708 can determine the accessibility 410 of the target device 304 in anumber of ways.

The access module 708 can determine the accessibility 410 of the targetdevice 304 after inferring an intention of the user 306 to access thetarget device 304. The access module 708 can infer the intention of theuser 306 to access the target device 304 based on the physicalconfiguration 308 of the client device 302, the device proximity 414 ofthe client device 302 to the target device 304, or a combinationthereof.

For example, the access module 708 can determine the physicalconfiguration 308 of the client device 302 as the handle configuration314. The access module 708 can then determine the instances of thetarget device 304 which can be controlled or commanded by the clientdevice 302 while in the handle configuration 314. The access module 708can make this determination based on the device type 422, the deviceidentification 420 including the hardware specifications of the targetdevice 304, or a combination thereof. As a more specific example, whenthe client device 302 is in the handle configuration 314, the accessmodule 708 can determine all instances of the target device 304 having adisplay interface such as the second display interface 240 in the deviceproximity 414 of the client device 302.

In this example, the device proximity 414 can be a distance allowing theuser 306 visual access to the display interface of the target device304. As an even more specific example, when the client device 302 is inthe handle configuration 314 the access module 708 can scan for allnotebooks, desktop computers, or networked televisions within 10 metersof the client device 302.

Similarly, the access module 708 can establish the device proximity 414as within 10 meters when the client device 302 is in the restingconfiguration 310. Moreover, the access module 708 can also limit thedevice type 422 of the target device 304 to those having a displayinterface.

As an additional example, when the client device 302 is in either thewearable configuration 316 or the remote configuration 312, the accessmodule 708 can expand the device type 422 to include all instances ofthe target device 304, as well as those without a display interface, andcan extend the device proximity 414 of such devices to a furtherdistance. As a more specific example, when the client device 302 is inthe wearable configuration 316, the access module 708 can even scan forinstances of the target device 304 in a different room or a differentsection of the building from the target device 304.

Furthermore, the access module 708 can take into account the deviceorientation 324, the device movement 326, or a combination thereof whenthe client device 302 is in the wearable configuration 316. For example,the access module 708 can infer the user 306 is not intending to accessany instances of the target device 304 when the device movement 326 isdetected or the device orientation 324 of the client device 302 changesrapidly within the detection period 322. As a more specific example, theclient device 302 can be implemented as a watch-type device and theaccess module 708 can infer the user 306 is not intending to access anyinstances of the target device 304 using the client device 302 when thewatch face of the device is not facing upwards or toward a positivey-axis direction in a spatial coordinate system.

The access module 708 can also infer the intention of the user 306 toaccess the target device 304 based on the usage context 508 of FIG. 5.For example, the access module 708 can determine the user 306 intends toaccess an instance of the target device 304 because the user 306previously connected to the target device 304 at the same time each dayfor the past week. Moreover, the access module 708 can determine theuser 306 intends to access another instance of the target device 304 asa result of the user 306 using two other instances of the target device304 of the same device type 422 within a short period of time. The usagecontext 508 will be discussed in more detail in the sections thatfollow.

Once the access module 708 has determined the instances of the targetdevice 304 capable of being controlled by the client device 302 based onthe physical configuration 308 and the device proximity 414, the accessmodule 708 can determine whether the particular instance of the user 306is permitted to access the target device 304 based on the identity 404of the user 306. For example, the access module 708 can search theaccess list 412 of FIG. 4 to determine whether the user 306 is listed inthe access list 412. The access list 412 can be an access whitelistgranting access to a device or an access blacklist denying access to adevice. The access list 412 can be implemented as a relational database,a key-value database, an array database, a columnar database, an objectoriented database, or a combination thereof. The access list 412 can bestored in the first storage unit 214, the second storage unit 246, or acombination thereof.

The access module 708 can also determine the accessibility 410 of thetarget device 304 to the client device 302 based on an input from theuser 306. For example, the user 306 can select an instance of the targetdevice 304 the user 306 intends to access using the client device 302.The user 306 can select the instance of the target device 304 bychoosing from a dropdown menu, a scroll menu, an icon list, a map, or acombination thereof.

It has been discovered that determining the accessibility 410 of thetarget device 304 to the client device 302 based on the physicalconfiguration 308 and the device location 334 of the target device 304provides for a more improved method of choosing the target device 304.More specifically, determining the accessibility 410 of the targetdevice 304 to the client device 302 based on the physical configuration308, the device proximity 414 of the client device 302 to the targetdevice 304, the device movement 326, the device orientation 324, or acombination thereof allows the electronic system 100 to quickly narrowdown potential candidates for the target device 304 to those appropriatefor the current instance of the physical configuration 308 of the clientdevice 302.

It has further been discovered that determining the accessibility 410 ofthe target device 304 to the client device 302 based on the devicelocation 334 and the physical configuration 308 of the target device 304provides for improved resource usage. More specifically, determining theaccessibility 410 of the target device 304 to the client device 302based on the device proximity 414 of the client device 302 to the targetdevice 304 and a particular instance of the physical configuration 308reduces energy from being wasted on querying instances of the targetdevice 304 not suitable for pairing with the client device 302 in theparticular instance of the physical configuration 308.

Once the access module 708 has determined the accessibility 410 of thetarget device 304 to the client device 302, the access module 708 cangrant the client device 302 access to the target device 304. The accessmodule 708 can grant the client device 302 access to the target device304 by generating the unlock signal 424 of FIG. 4, the wake-up signal426 of FIG. 4, or a combination thereof. The access module 708 cangenerate the unlock signal 424, the wake-up signal 426, or a combinationthereof using a wireless protocol via the communication path 104.

For example, the access module 708 can generate the unlock signal 424 tounlock a physical object such as an electronic door lock, an appliancelock such as an electronic refrigerator lock, or a combination thereof.In addition, the access module 708 can generate the unlock signal 424 tochange the state of an electronic device from a locked state to anunlocked state. As a more specific example, the access module 708 cangenerate the unlock signal 424 to unlock a security screen of acomputing device, such as a notebook, a desktop computer, a smartphone,or a combination thereof.

As an additional example, the access module 708 can generate the wake-upsignal 426 to change the state of an electronic device from a sleep orstandby state or mode to an active state. As a more specific example,the access module 708 can generate the wake-up signal 426 to change thestate of a coffee-maker from a sleep state to an active state.

The access module 708 can be part of the first software 226, the secondsoftware 242, or a combination thereof. The first control unit 212 canexecute the first software 226, the second control unit 234 can executethe second software 242, or a combination thereof to determine theaccessibility 410 of the target device 304.

Moreover, the access module 708 can also communicate the accessibility410 of the target device 304 between devices through the firstcommunication unit 216, the second communication unit 236, or acombination thereof. After determining the accessibility 410 of thetarget device 304, the control flow can pass from the access module 708to the operational module 710.

The operational module 710 is configured to generate the operationalmode 338 of FIG. 3 of the client device 302. For example, theoperational module 710 can generate the operational mode 338 as themonitor mode 340 of FIG. 3, the game mode 342 of FIG. 3, the gesturemode 344 of FIG. 3, or a combination thereof. The operational module 710can generate the operational mode 338 in a variety of ways.

The operational module 710 can generate the operational mode 338 bydetermining the intention of the user 306 to operate the client device302 in an instance of the operational mode 338. For example, theoperational module 710 can infer the intention of the user 306 toundertake the operational mode 338 based on the physical configuration308 of the client device 302, the device proximity 414 of the clientdevice 302 to the target device 304, the device orientation 324 of theclient device 302, the device movement 326 of the client device 302, ora combination thereof.

As a more specific example, the operational module 710 can infer theintention of the user 306 to operate the client device 302 in themonitor mode 340, the game mode 342, or a combination thereof when thephysical configuration 308 of the client device 302 is in the handleconfiguration 314. As an even more specific example, the client device302 can be implemented as a watch-type device, the operational module710 can infer the intention of the user 306 to operate the watch-typedevice in the monitor mode 340, the game mode 342, or both the monitormode 340 and the game mode 342 when the user 306 holds the watch-typedevice in one or two hands of the user 306 by the fastening unit 103 ofthe watch-type device.

In addition, the operational module 710 can infer the intention of theuser 306 to operate the client device 302 in either the monitor mode 340or the game mode 342 in the handle configuration 314 based on a changein the device orientation 324, the device movement 326, or a combinationthereof. For example, the operational module 710 can infer the intentionof the user 306 to operate the client device 302 in the game mode 342when the operational module 710 detects a change in the deviceorientation 324 representing a rotation of the client device 302 beyondthe orientation threshold 330 of FIG. 3 within an instance of thedetection period 322. In this example, the orientation threshold 330 canbe a 30 degree change in yaw or pitch within the detection period 322 ofless than 1 second.

As an additional example, the operational module 710 can infer theintention of the user 306 to operate the client device 302 in themonitor mode 340 when the operational module 710 detects the devicemovement 326 representing a change in the device location 334 of theclient device 302 beyond the movement threshold 328 within an instanceof the detection period 322. In this example, the movement threshold 328can be a change in the device location 334 of the client device 302 ofmore than 1 meter within the detection period 322 of less than 5seconds.

As another example, the operational module 710 can infer the intentionof the user 306 to operate the client device 302 in the monitor mode340, the game mode 342, the gesture mode 344, or a combination thereofwhen the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 is in thewearable configuration 316. As an even more specific example, the clientdevice 302 can be implemented as a fitness band, the operational module710 can infer the intention of the user 306 to operate the fitness bandin any of the monitor mode 340, the game mode 342, the gesture mode 344,or a combination thereof when the user 306 secures the fitness band to awrist of the user 306.

In addition, the operational module 710 can infer the intention of theuser 306 to operate the client device 302 in the wearable configuration316 in one or any combination of the monitor mode 340, the game mode342, or the gesture mode 344 based on a change in the device orientation324, the device movement 326, or a combination thereof. For example, theoperational module 710 can infer the intention of the user 306 tooperate the client device 302 in the monitor mode 340, the game mode342, or a combination of the monitor mode 340 and the game mode 342 whenthe operational module 710 detects a change in the device orientation324 representing a rotation of the client device 302 beyond theorientation threshold 330 of 20 degrees in any orientation within thedetection period of less than 3 seconds.

Furthermore, the operational module 710 can infer the intention of theuser 306 to operate the client device 302 as either the monitor mode 340or the game mode 342 based on the device movement 326. Morespecifically, the operational module 710 can infer the intention of theuser 306 to operate the client device 302 in the monitor mode 340 ratherthan the game mode 342 when the device movement 326 exceeds the movementthreshold 328 of more than 3 meters within the detection period 322 of20 seconds.

Moreover, the operational module 710 can infer the intention of the user306 to operate the client device 302 in the gesture mode 344 when theclient device 302 is in the wearable configuration 316 based on thedevice movement 326 and the device orientation 324. More specifically,the operational module 710 can infer the intention of the user 306 tooperate the client device 302 in the gesture mode 344 in the wearableconfiguration 316 when neither the device movement 326 nor the deviceorientation 324 exceeds the movement threshold 328 or the orientationthreshold 330, respectively. For example, the operational module 710infer the user 306 intends to operate the client device 302 in thegesture mode when the client device 302 is in the wearable configuration316 and no perceivable change in the device movement 326 or the deviceorientation 324 is detected within an instance of the detection period322.

As yet another example, the operational module 710 can infer theintention of the user 306 to operate the client device 302 in thegesture mode 344 when the physical configuration 308 of the clientdevice 302 is in the resting configuration 310 or the remoteconfiguration 312. As an even more specific example, the client device302 can be implemented as a watch-type device and the operational module710 can infer the intention of the user 306 to operate the watch-typedevice in the gesture mode 344 when the watch-type device is eitherresting on a table top without being secured to the user 306 or the user306 is applying the touch gesture 336 to the watch face with one handwhile holding the device by the other hand.

The operational module 710 can further differentiate the gesture mode344 into the touchless mode 346 of FIG. 3 or the touch mode 348 of FIG.3. For example, the operational module 710 can infer the intention ofthe user 306 to operate the client device 302 in the touchless mode 346when the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 is ineither the resting configuration 310 or the wearable configuration 316.Alternatively, the operational module 710 can infer the intention of theuser 306 to operate the client device 302 in the touch mode 348 when thephysical configuration 308 of the client device 302 is in any of theremote configuration 312, the wearable configuration 316, or the restingconfiguration 310.

The operational module 710 can determine the intention of the user 306to operate the client device 302 in the touchless mode 346 byidentifying the touchless gesture 350 of FIG. 3 based on the acousticsignal 352 of FIG. 3 transmitted from the client device 302. Forexample, the operational module 710 can determine the intention of theuser 306 to operate the client device 302 in the touchless mode 346based on an instance of the acoustic signal 352 received at theultrasonic sensor 221. The operational module 710 can identify thetouchless gesture 350 as a result of a physical phenomenon such as awave propagation phenomenon. More specifically, the operational module710 can identify the touchless gesture 350 as a result of acharacteristic of a reflected acoustic wave or signal due to the Dopplereffect or the Doppler shift.

Moreover, the operational module 710 can also determine the intention ofthe user 306 to operate the client device 302 in the touchless mode 346by identifying the touchless gesture 350 based on an infrared signal, aradio frequency signal, a light reflectance, or a combination thereof.For example, the operational module 710 can identify the touchlessgesture 350 through images captured of the touchless gesture 350.

The operational module 710 can determine the intention of the user 306to operate the client device 302 in the touch mode 348 by detecting aninstance of the contact reading 320 between the user 306 and a displayinterface of the client device 302 such as the first display interface230. More specifically, the operational module 710 can determine theintention of the user 306 to operate the client device 302 in the touchmode 348 by detecting the contact reading 320 between the user 306 andthe display interface while the client device 302 is in any of theremote configuration 312, the wearable configuration 316, or the restingconfiguration 310.

The operational module 710 can also determine the intention of the user306 to operate the client device 302 in the operational mode 338 basedon an input by the user 306. For example, the operational module 710 candetermine the intention of the user 306 to operate the client device 302in the game mode 342 based on the input by the user 306 through aselection made from a dropdown menu or list, an audio input, or acombination thereof.

The operational module 710 can generate the operational mode 338 bydisabling one or more sensors of the client device 302, enabling one ormore sensors of the client device 302, or a combination thereof. Theoperational module 710 can disable or enable one or more sensors of theclient device 302 after determining the intention of the user 306 tooperate the client device 302 in an instance of the operational mode338.

The operational module 710 can enable a sensor of the client device 302by activating one or more components of the sensor, putting the sensorin a wake mode, actively seeking an input for the sensor, or acombination thereof. The operational module 710 can disable a sensor ofthe client device 302 by deactivating one or more components of thesensor, putting the sensor in a sleep mode, ignoring an input receivedat the sensor, or a combination thereof.

As a more specific example, the operational module 710 can generate thegame mode 342 by enabling one or more components of the location unit220, the biometric unit 225, the contact sensor 223 in the fasteningunit 103, or a combination thereof. In addition, the operational module710 can generate the game mode 342 by disabling one or more componentsof the ultrasonic sensor 221, the contact sensor 223 coupled to adisplay interface such as the first display interface 230, or acombination thereof.

As an additional example, the operational module 710 can generate themonitor mode 340 by enabling one or more components of the location unit220, the biometric unit 225, the contact sensor 223 in the fasteningunit 103, or a combination thereof. In addition, the operational module710 can generate the monitor mode 340 by disabling one or morecomponents of the ultrasonic sensor 221, the contact sensor 223 coupledto a display interface such as the first display interface 230, or acombination thereof.

As another example, the operational module 710 can generate the gesturemode 344 representing the touchless mode 346 by enabling one or morecomponents of the ultrasonic sensor 221, the location unit 220, or acombination thereof. In addition, the operational module 710 cangenerate the gesture mode 344 representing the touchless mode 346 bydisabling one or more components of the biometric unit 225, the contactsensor 223, or a combination thereof.

As yet another example, the operational module 710 can generate thegesture mode 344 representing the touch mode 348 by enabling one or morecomponents of the contact sensor 223, the location unit 220, or acombination thereof. In addition, the operational module 710 cangenerate the gesture mode 344 representing the touch mode 348 bydisabling one or more components of the biometric unit 225, theultrasonic sensor 221, or a combination thereof.

It has been discovered that generating the operational mode 338 based onthe physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 by enabling ordisabling one or more sensors of the client device 302 provides improvedresource efficiency. More specifically, enabling certain sensors of theclient device 302 and disabling other sensors based on the physicalconfiguration 308 of the client device 302 reduces energy usage by nothaving to power sensors not currently being used by the client device302 in a particular instance of the physical configuration 308. Inaddition, segmenting the functionality of the client device 302 intomultiple instances of the operational mode 338 focuses the processingpower of the electronic system 100 into processing commands orinstructions essential to applications or programs desired by the user306 in the particular instance of the physical configuration 308 such asgaming applications or health monitoring applications.

The operational module 710 can be part of the first software 226, thesecond software 242, or a combination thereof. The first control unit212 can execute the first software 226, the second control unit 234 canexecute the second software 242, or a combination thereof to generatethe operational mode 338.

Moreover, the operational module 708 can also communicate theoperational mode 338 between devices through the first communicationunit 216, the second communication unit 236, or a combination thereof.After generating the operational mode 338, the control flow can passfrom the operational module 710 to the contextual module 712.

The context module 712 is configured to determine the usage context 508.The context module 712 can determine the usage context 508 in a numberof ways. For example, the context module 712 can determine the usagecontext 508 representing the usage order 510 of FIG. 5 based on thedevice movement 326 over time. As a more specific example, the contextmodule 712 can determine the usage order 510 based on the devicemovement 326 by tracking the device location 334 of the client device302 over a period of time. As a more specific example, the contextmodule 712 can track the device movement 326 of the client device 302 inthe last 60 minutes, the last 24 hours, the 72 hours, or a combinationthereof.

The context module 712 can keep a record of the device type 422, thedevice identification 420, or a combination thereof of the instances ofthe target device 304 accessed by or previously connected to the clientdevice 302. In addition, the context module 712 can keep a record of asequence of the instances of the target device 304 accessed by orpreviously connected to the client device 302. Moreover, the contextmodule 712 can also keep a record of the operational mode 338, thephysical configuration 308, or a combination there at each instance ofthe target device 304 of the usage order 510.

As a more specific example, the context module 712 can determine thefirst instance of the target device 304 in the usage order 510 as awashing machine controlled by the client device 302 in the gesture mode344 while in the wearable configuration 316. Continuing with thisexample, the context module 712 can determine the second instance of thetarget device 304 in the usage order 510 as a television controlled bythe client device 302 in the game mode 342 while in the handleconfiguration 314. Finally, the context module 712 can determine themost recent instance of the target device 304 in the usage order 510 asa desktop computer controlled by the client device 302 in the gesturemode 344 while in the resting configuration 310.

As an additional example, the context module 712 can determine the usagecontext 508 representing the usage time 512 of FIG. 5. The contextmodule 712 can determine the usage time 512 by keeping a record of whenthe client device 302 interacted with the target device 304. The contextmodule 712 can determine the usage time 512 for each instance of thetarget device 304 included in the usage order 510. The context module712 can determine the usage time 512 representing the time-of-day, theday-of-the-week, a specific calendar day, or a combination thereof.

As yet another example, the context module 712 can determine the usagecontext 508 representing the usage frequency 514 of FIG. 5. The contextmodule 712 can determine the usage frequency 514 based on the usageorder 510 and the usage time 512. As a more specific example, thecontext module 712 can determine the usage frequency 514 of the clientdevice 302 connecting to a thermostat as twice a day on weekdays andonce a day on the weekends.

The context module 712 can also store as part of the usage context 508the session information 516 of FIG. 5 concerning a previous instance ofthe interaction between the client device 302 and the target device 304.For example, the context module 712 can store as part of the sessioninformation 516 the amount of time remaining on a countdown timer of akitchen appliance, a video or audio bookmark indicating a pause orinterruption in a video or audio content, or a progression markerindicating a pause or interruption in video game. The context module 712can store the session information 516 as a timestamp, an interrupt, adigital marker, or a combination thereof.

The context module 712 can organize information concerning the usagecontext 508 in a relational database, a key-value database, an arraydatabase, a columnar database, an object oriented database, or acombination thereof. The context module 712 can also store the usagecontext 508 representing the usage order 510, the usage frequency 514,the usage time 512, or a combination thereof in the first storage unit214, the second storage unit 246, or a combination thereof.

The context module 712 can be part of the first software 226, the secondsoftware 242, or a combination thereof. The first control unit 212 canexecute the first software 226, the second control unit 234 can executethe second software 242, or a combination thereof to determine the usagecontext 508.

Moreover, the context module 712 can also communicate the usage context508 between devices through the first communication unit 216, the secondcommunication unit 236, or a combination thereof. After determining theusage context 508, the control flow can pass from the context module 712to the target module 714.

The target module 714 is configured to determine the target connection502 of FIG. 5 for connecting the client device 302 with the targetdevice 304 and send the input signal 504 of FIG. 5 to the target device304. The target module 714 can determine the target connection 502 in avariety of ways.

The target module 714 can infer the target connection 502 representingthe desire or intention of the user 306 to connect the client device 302with one or more instances of the target device 304. The target module714 can infer the target connection 502 based on the accessibility 410of the target device 304, the operational mode 338 of the client device302, the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302, the usagecontext 508, the biometric indicator 602, or a combination thereof.

For example, the target module 714 can infer the target connection 502by analyzing all currently accessible instances of the target device 304for components or functionality compatible with the operational mode 338of the client device 302. As a more specific example, the client device302 can be in the gesture mode 344 representing the touchless mode 346and the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 can be inthe resting configuration 310. In this example, the target module 714can analyze all currently accessible instances of the target device 304for those having a display interface such as the second displayinterface 240. The target module 714 can then analyze the usage context508 to determine which of the instances of the target device 304 havingthe display interface the user 306 desires to connect with the clientdevice 302.

In this example, the target module 714 can examine the usage time 512including the current time-of-day and day-of-the week, the usage order510 including the three preceding instances of the target device 304connected to the client device 302, and the usage frequency 514 of theinstances of the target device 304 having the display interface. As aneven more specific example, the target module 714 can choose a desktopcomputer within 1 meter of the client device 302 for the targetconnection 502 because the user 306 has a history of using the clientdevice 302 to control the desktop computer to browse the internet at thesame time each weekday.

As an additional example, the client device 302 can be in the game mode342 and the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 can bein the handle configuration 314. In this example, the target module 714can analyze all currently accessible instances of the target device 304for those having a display interface above a certain size threshold. Thetarget module 714 can then analyze the usage context 508 to determinewhich of the instances of the target device 304 having the displayinterface above the size threshold the user 306 has connected with inthe past for gaming activities. Moreover, the target module 714 cananalyze the device location 334 of the instances of the target device304 to determine which instances of the target device 304 is located inan area suitable for the user 306 to make gaming motions with the clientdevice 302. As a result of this analysis, the target module 714 canchoose a networked television in a living room within 5 meters of theclient device 302.

As yet another example, the client device 302 can be in the monitor mode340 and the physical configuration 308 of the client device 302 can bein the wearable configuration 316. In this example, the target module714 can analyze all currently accessible instances of the target device304 for those capable of adjusting the target setting 610 of FIG. 6based on the biometric indicator 602 of the user 306. In addition, thetarget module 714 can also analyze all currently accessible instances ofthe target device 304 for those capable of communicating a number, atext, a graphic, or a combination thereof.

As a more specific example, the client device 302 can detect both theheart rate 408 and the body temperature 606 of the user 306 as going upbased on the heart rate reading 604 and the temperature reading 608.Based on these readings, the target module 714 can infer the user 306intends to connect to a thermostat to adjust the target setting 610 ofthe thermostat to accommodate the rising heart rate and body temperateof the user 306. Moreover, the target module 714 can analyze allinstances of the target device 304 accessible to the client device 302having a display interface. The target module 714 can use this device tocommunicate numbers, text, or graphics associated with the biometricindicator 602 captured by the client device 302 to the user 306.

The target module 714 can also determine the target connection 502 basedon an input from the user 306. For example, the user 306 apply aninstance of the touch gesture 336, the touchless gesture 350, or acombination thereof to select the target device 304. As a more specificexample, the user 306 can select the instance of the target device 304by choosing from a dropdown menu, a scroll menu, an icon list, a map, ora combination thereof. In addition, the user 306 can provide an audioinput to select the target device 304.

The target module 714 is also configured to send the input signal 504 tothe target device 304 once the target connection 502 has beenestablished. The target module 714 can send the input signal 504 to thetarget device 304 to interact with the target device 304 using theclient device 302. The input signal 504 can be used by the client device302 to change a state of the target device 304.

For example, the input signal 504 can include the wake-up signal 426,the unlock signal 424, or a combination thereof. As a more specificexample, the input signal 504 can be a signal invoking an event call, anApplication Programming Interface (API) call, an operating system (OS)call, or a combination thereof. The input signal 504 can be implementedas a Bluetooth™ signal such as a Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE) signal, aWiFi signal, an acoustic signal, an infrared signal, or a combinationthereof.

The target module 714 is also configured to generate the haptic feedback518 of FIG. 5 for communicating the target response 520 of FIG. 5 fromthe target device 304. The target module 714 can generate the hapticfeedback 518 through the first user interface 218 when the client device302 is in the handle configuration 314, the wearable configuration 316,or the remote configuration 312. The target module 714 can generate thehaptic feedback 518 in response to the target response 520 from thetarget device 304.

For example, the target module 714 can generate the haptic feedback 518to communicate the occurrence or presence of an alert, a notification, apop-up window to the user 306 of the client device 302. As an additionalexample, the target module 714 can generate the haptic feedback 518 tocommunicate the reception of a command or an instruction by the targetdevice 304 from the client device 302. As a more specific example, thetarget module 714 can generate the haptic feedback 518 by vibrating theclient device 302 worn on the wrist of the user 306. The haptic feedback518 can update the user 306 on the operational status of an instance ofthe target device 304 such as a washing machine, a stove, a dishwasher,or a combination thereof.

The target module 714 can be part of the first software 226, the secondsoftware 242, or a combination thereof. The first control unit 212 canexecute the first software 226, the second control unit 234 can executethe second software 242, or a combination thereof to determine thetarget connection 502 and send the input signal 504.

Moreover, the target module 714 can also communicate the targetconnection 502 and the input signal 504 between devices through thefirst communication unit 216, the second communication unit 236, or acombination thereof. After determining the target connection 502 andsending the input signal 504, the control flow can pass from the targetmodule 714 to the personalization module 716.

The personalization module 716 is configured to generate thepersonalized content 506 of FIG. 6 and the target setting 610 of FIG. 6.The personalization module 716 can generate the personalized content 506and the target setting 610 in a number of ways.

The personalization module 716 can generate the personalized content 506based on the usage context 508. For example, the personalization module716 can generate the personalized content 506 based on the usage order510, the usage time 512, the session information 516, or a combinationthereof. As a more specific example, the client device 302 can be awatch-type device and the user 306 can establish the target connection502 with a WiFi enabled television as the target device 304. Thepersonalization module 716 can detect the usage context 508 of theelectronic system 100 as the user 306 previously having watched ¾ of amovie on a desktop computer while also wearing the client device 302.The personalization module 716 can determine the stopping point of themovie from the session information 516 of the previous instance of thetarget connection 502 between the client device 302 and the desktopcomputer. Based on this information, the personalization module 716 cangenerate the personalized content 506 on the WiFi enabled television asthe remaining ¼ of the movie started by the user 306.

The personalization module 716 can also generate the personalizedcontent 506 based on the biometric signature 402, the biometricindicator 602 of the user 306, or a combination thereof. For example,the personalization module 716 can generate the personalized content 506based on the identity 404 of the user 306 obtained through the biometricunit 225. As an additional example, the personalization module 716 cangenerate the personalized content 506 based on the biometric indicator602 of the user 306.

It has been discovered that generating the personalized content 506based on the identity 404 of the user 306 determined from the biometricsignature 402 obtained using the client device 302 improves theusability of the client device 302. More specifically, the same instanceof the client device 302 can be used by multiple instances of the user306. In addition, determining the identity 404 of the user 306 from thebiometric signature 402 of the user 306 is a more secure method ofauthenticating the user 306 and generating the personalized content 506based on the biometric signature 402 reduces the likelihood ofunauthorized access to content not intended for a particular instance ofthe user 306.

As a more specific example, the personalization module 716 can generatethe personalized content 506 based on the heart rate reading 604, thetemperature reading 608 of the user 306, or a combination thereof. Inaddition, the personalization motion 716 can generate the personalizedcontent 506 by displaying the heart rate reading 604, the temperaturereading 608, or a combination thereof on a display interface of thetarget device 304. Moreover, the personalization module 716 can generatethe target setting 610 based on the biometric indicator 602 of the user306, the device movement 326, or a combination thereof. Thepersonalization module 716 can generate the target setting 610 byestablishing the target connection 502 with an occupancy system such asa thermostat, a heating unit, a cooling unit, or a combination thereof.

For example, the personalization module 716 can generate the targetsetting 610 by increasing or decreasing a temperature setting of thethermostat. As an additional example, the personalization module 716 cangenerate the target setting 610 by turning on or off the heating unit,the cooling unit, or a combination thereof. As a more specific example,the client device 302 can be a watch-type device and the electronicsystem 100 can detect the user 306 has finished a workout based on theheart rate reading 604, the temperature reading 608, the device movement326, or a combination thereof. In this example, the personalizationmodule 716 can generate the target setting 610 to accommodate theelevated instances of the heart rate 408 and the body temperature 606 ofthe user 306. More specifically, the personalization module 716 canestablish the target connection 502 with an instance of the targetdevice 304 representing a cooling unit to turn on the cooling unit.

It has been discovered that generating the personalized content 506based on the biometric indicator 602 of the user 306 improves the userexperience of the client device 302. More specifically, the user 306 canadjust usage of the client device 302 in a particular mode, such as thegame mode 342, based on a change in the biometric indicator 602 such asthe heart rate 408, the body temperature 606, or a combination thereofof the user 306.

The personalization module 716 can be part of the first software 226,the second software 242, or a combination thereof. The first controlunit 212 can execute the first software 226, the second control unit 234can execute the second software 242, or a combination thereof togenerate the personalized content 506.

Moreover, the personalization module 716 can also communicate thepersonalized content 506 between devices through the first communicationunit 216, the second communication unit 236, or a combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 8, therein is shown an exemplary flow chart 800 ofa method of operation of an electronic system 100 of FIG. 1 in a furtherembodiment. In one example embodiment, the electronic system 100 canimplement the control flow 700 of FIG. 7.

The exemplary flow chart 800 can include determining the physicalconfiguration 308 of FIG. 3 based on the sensor reading 318 of FIG. 3 ina box 802. The electronic system 100 can use the configuration module702 of FIG. 7 to determine the physical configuration 308. The exemplaryflow chart 800 can further include determining the device location 334of FIG. 3 for establishing the device proximity 414 of FIG. 4 to thetarget device 304 of FIG. 1 in a box 804. The electronic system 100 canuse the location module 706 of FIG. 7 to determine the device location334.

The exemplary flow chart 800 can further include generating theoperational mode 338 of FIG. 3 based on the physical configuration 308and the device proximity 414 in a block 806. The electronic system 100can use the operational module 710 of FIG. 7 to generate the operationalmode 338. The exemplary flow chart 800 can further include sending theinput signal 504 of FIG. 5 for interacting with the target device 304through the client device 302 of FIG. 1 in a block 808. The electronicsystem 100 can use the target module 714 of FIG. 7 to send the inputsignal 504.

The exemplary flow chart 800 can further include determining thebiometric signature 402 of FIG. 4 for recognizing the identity 404 ofFIG. 4 at the client device 302 in a block 810. The electronic system100 can use the biometric module 704 of FIG. 7 to determine thebiometric signature 402. The exemplary flow chart 800 can furtherinclude identifying the touchless gesture 350 for controlling the firstuser interface 218 of FIG. 2 of the target device 304 based on theacoustic signal 352 transmitted from the client device 302 in a block812. The electronic system 100 can use the operational module 710 toidentify the touchless gesture 350.

The exemplary flow chart 800 can further include tracking thetemperature reading 608 of FIG. 6, the heart rate reading 604 of FIG. 6,or a combination thereof at the client device 302 in a block 814. Theelectronic system 100 can use the biometric module 704 to track thetemperature reading 608, the heart rate reading 604, or a combinationthereof. The exemplary flow chart 800 can further include generating theunlock signal 424 of FIG. 4, the wake-up signal 426 of FIG. 4, or acombination thereof in a block 816. The electronic system 100 can usethe access module 708 of FIG. 7 to generate the unlock signal 424, thewake-up signal 426, or a combination thereof.

The exemplary flow chart 800 can further include generating thepersonalized content 506 of FIG. 5 for displaying on the target device304 based on the usage context 508 of FIG. 5 in a block 818. Theelectronic system 100 can use the personalization module 716 of FIG. 7to generate the personalized content 506. The exemplary flow chart 800can further include generating the target setting 610 of FIG. 6, thepersonalized content 506, or a combination thereof based on thetemperature reading 608, the heart rate reading 604, or a combinationthereof at the target device 304 in a block 820. The electronic system100 can use the personalization module 716 to generate the targetsetting 610, the personalized content 506, or a combination thereof.

The exemplary flow chart 800 can further include generating the hapticfeedback 518 of FIG. 5 through the client device 302 for communicatingthe target response 520 of FIG. 5 from the target device 304 in a block822. The electronic system 100 can use the target module 714 to generatethe haptic feedback 518.

The modules described herein can be hardware implementation or hardwareaccelerators, including passive circuitry, active circuitry, or both, inthe first control unit 212 of FIG. 3, the second control unit 234 ofFIG. 2, or a combination thereof. The modules can also be hardwareimplementation or hardware accelerators, including passive circuitry,active circuitry, or both, within the first device 102, the seconddevice 106, or a combination thereof but outside of the first controlunit 212, the second control unit 234, or a combination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the various modules have been described asbeing specific to the first device 102, the second device 106, or acombination thereof. However, it is understood that the modules can bedistributed differently. For example, the various modules can beimplemented in a different device, or the functionalities of the modulescan be distributed across multiple devices. Also as an example, thevarious modules can be stored in a non-transitory memory medium.

As a more specific example, one or more modules described above can bestored in the non-transitory memory medium for distribution to adifferent system, a different device, a different user, or a combinationthereof. Also as a more specific example, the modules described abovecan be implemented or stored using a single hardware unit, such as achip or a processor, or across multiple hardware units.

The modules described in this application can be stored in thenon-transitory computer readable medium. The first storage unit 214 ofFIG. 2, the second storage unit 246 of FIG. 2, or a combination thereofcan represent the non-transitory computer readable medium. The firststorage unit 214, the second storage unit 246, or a combination thereof,or a portion therein can be removable from the first device 102, thesecond device 106, or a combination thereof. Examples of thenon-transitory computer readable medium can be a non-volatile memorycard or stick, an external hard disk drive, a tape cassette, or anoptical disk.

The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or systemis straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile,accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adaptingknown components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing,application, and utilization. Another important aspect of the embodimentof the present invention is that it valuably supports and services thehistorical trend of reducing costs, simplifying systems, and increasingperformance. These and other valuable aspects of the embodiment of thepresent invention consequently further the state of the technology to atleast the next level.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specificbest mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within thescope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown inthe accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative andnon-limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic system comprising: a control unitconfigured to: determine a physical configuration based on a sensorreading, the physical configuration for representing a specific physicalshape or arrangement of a client device from a set of shapes orarrangements with each shape or arrangement therein corresponding to arespective configuration; determine a device location for establishing adevice proximity to a target device; generate an operational mode basedon the physical configuration and the device proximity; and acommunication unit, coupled to the control unit, configured to send aninput signal for interacting with the target device through the clientdevice.
 2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit isfurther configured to: determine a biometric signature for recognizingan identity at the client device; and generate a personalized contentbased on the biometric signature and the device proximity.
 3. The systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to:determine a biometric signature for recognizing an identity at theclient device; and generate an unlock signal, a wake-up signal, or acombination thereof based on the biometric signature and the deviceproximity for accessing the target device.
 4. The system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to identify atouchless gesture for controlling a user interface of the target devicebased on an acoustic signal transmitted from the client device.
 5. Thesystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is furtherconfigured to generate a personalized content for displaying on thetarget device based on a usage context.
 6. The system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to: determine thephysical configuration as a wearable configuration based on a contactreading; and generate the operational mode as a monitor mode based onthe wearable configuration, a device orientation, a device movement, thedevice proximity, or a combination thereof.
 7. The system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to: determine thephysical configuration as a handle configuration based on a contactreading; and generate the operational mode of the client device as agame mode based on the handle configuration, a device orientation, adevice movement, the device proximity to the target device, or acombination thereof.
 8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecontrol unit is further configured to: track a temperature reading forgauging a body temperature at the client device; and generate a targetsetting, a personalized content, or a combination thereof based on thetemperature reading for implementing on the target device.
 9. The systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to:track a heart rate reading for gauging a heart rate at the clientdevice; and generate a target setting, a personalized content, or acombination thereof based on the heart rate reading for implementing onthe target device.
 10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecontrol unit is further configured to generate a haptic feedback throughthe client device for communicating a target response from the targetdevice.
 11. A method of operation of an electronic system comprising:determining, with a control unit, a physical configuration based on asensor reading, the physical configuration for representing a specificphysical shape or arrangement of a client device from a set of shapes orarrangements with each shape or arrangement therein corresponding to arespective configuration; determining a device location for establishinga device proximity to a target device; generating an operational modebased on the physical configuration and the device proximity; andsending, with a communication unit coupled to the control unit, an inputsignal for interacting with the target device through the client device.12. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: determining abiometric signature for recognizing an identity at the client device;and generating a personalized content based on the biometric signatureand the device proximity.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 11 furthercomprising: determining a biometric signature for recognizing anidentity at the client device; and generating an unlock signal, awake-up signal, or a combination thereof based on the biometricsignature and the device proximity for accessing the target device. 14.The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising identifying atouchless gesture for controlling a user interface of the target devicebased on an acoustic signal transmitted from the client device.
 15. Themethod as claimed in claim 11 further comprising generating apersonalized content for displaying on the target device based on ausage context.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising:determining the physical configuration as a wearable configuration basedon a contact reading; and generating the operational mode as a monitormode based on the wearable configuration, a device orientation, a devicemovement, the device proximity, or a combination thereof.
 17. The methodas claimed in claim 11 further comprising: determining the physicalconfiguration as the handle configuration based on a contact reading;and generating the operational mode of the client device as the gamemode based on the handle configuration, a device orientation, a devicemovement, the proximity of the client device, or a combination thereof.18. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: tracking atemperature reading for gauging a body temperature at the client device;and generating a target setting, a personalized content, or acombination thereof based on the temperature reading for implementing onthe target device.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 11 furthercomprising: tracking a heart rate reading for gauging a heart rate atthe client device; and generating a target setting, a personalizedcontent, or a combination thereof based on the heart rate reading forimplementing on the target device.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 11further comprising generating a haptic feedback through the clientdevice for communicating a target response from the target device.
 21. Anon-transitory computer readable medium including instructions forexecution by a control unit for an electronic system, the instructionscomprising: determining a physical configuration based on a sensorreading, the physical configuration for representing a specific physicalshape or arrangement of a client device from a set of shapes orarrangements with each shape or arrangement therein corresponding to arespective configuration; determining a device location for establishinga device proximity to a target device; generating an operational modebased on the physical configuration and the device proximity; andsending an input signal for interacting with the target device throughthe client device.
 22. The non-transitory computer readable medium asclaimed in claim 21, the instructions further comprising: determining abiometric signature for recognizing an identity at the client device;and generating a personalized content based on the biometric signatureand the device proximity.
 23. The non-transitory computer readablemedium as claimed in claim 21, the instructions further comprising:determining a biometric signature for recognizing an identity at theclient device; and generating an unlock signal, a wake-up signal, or acombination thereof based on the biometric signature and the deviceproximity for accessing the target device.
 24. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium as claimed in claim 21, the instructionsfurther comprising identifying a touchless gesture for controlling auser interface of the target device based on an acoustic signaltransmitted from the client device.
 25. The non-transitory computerreadable medium as claimed in claim 21, the instructions furthercomprising generating a personalized content for displaying on thetarget device based on a usage context.
 26. The non-transitory computerreadable medium as claimed in claim 21, the instructions furthercomprising: determining the physical configuration as a wearableconfiguration based on a contact reading; and generating the operationalmode as a monitor mode based on the wearable configuration, a deviceorientation, a device movement, the device proximity, or a combinationthereof.
 27. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed inclaim 21, the instructions further comprising: determining the physicalconfiguration as the handle configuration based on a contact reading;and generating the operational mode of the client device as the gamemode based on the handle configuration, a device orientation, a devicemovement, the proximity of the client device, or a combination thereof.28. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 21,the instructions further comprising: tracking a temperature reading forgauging a body temperature at the client device; and generating a targetsetting, a personalized content, or a combination thereof based on thetemperature reading for implementing on the target device.
 29. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 21, theinstructions further comprising: tracking a heart rate reading forgauging a heart rate at the client device; and generating a targetsetting, a personalized content, or a combination thereof based on theheart rate reading for implementing on the target device.
 30. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 21, theinstructions further comprising generating a haptic feedback through theclient device for communicating a target response from the targetdevice.